Don’t miss this Charlotte community event to discuss health empowerment. We will focus on awareness of multiple myeloma in the African American community and living a healthier life. The panel will share patient stories and suggestions to “M-Power” yourself if you or a loved one is ever faced with a complicated diagnosis.
with support from:
About M-Power Charlotte
The International Myeloma Foundation has joined forces with Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute’s Disparities & Outreach program to empower people in the Charlotte, North Carolina area to help change the course of myeloma. M-Power Charlotte is dedicated to removing barriers to care and improving outcomes in the disease.
We invite you to help achieve these goals by sharing the links in the Myeloma Tool Kit to educational written materials and videos here with friends, family, community groups, and even on your Facebook page!
%
of all cases of myeloma are in African Americans
more common in African Americans
%
of all newly diagnosed myeloma patients will be African American
Multiple Myeloma
Did you know that myeloma is the most common blood cancer in people of African descent? But doctors do not typically check people for myeloma during a regular visit because currently there are no national screening recommendations for myeloma.
That’s why it’s important to learn the early symptoms of myeloma and let your doctor know that you—or a friend or family member—are at added risk for the disease.
Because even though myeloma affects African Americans at greater rates, with early diagnosis and treatment, African Americans can have better overall survival in living with the disease.
Myeloma Tool Kit
Watch the VideoMyeloma Made Simple
view the glossaryUnderstanding the Language of Myeloma
Myeloma is a complicated disease, but the language that describes it doesn’t have to be. Here is a list of words and phrases commonly used in discussions about myeloma.
Learn MoreEarly Signs of Myeloma
This Tip Card covers early diagnosis and warning signs of multiple myeloma.
Learn MoreHave You Been Diagnosed with Myeloma?
Multiple myeloma is a highly treatable disease. Many patients live long and productive lives after diagnosis.
Download ToolMyeloma Treatment Discussion Tool
This tool was developed in collaboration with myeloma patients and caregivers, leaders of myeloma support groups, and the IMF Nurse Leadership Board. Discuss this tool with your treatment team and healthcare providers.
Learn MoreM-Power Yourself
To make good decisions about your care with your health-care team, learn as much as you can about myeloma and its treatments.
Learn MoreCaregiver Resources
A comprehensive list of caregiver support and other helpful resources especially for families and caregivers.
Learn MoreDrug Reimbursement Information and Assistance
List of pharma, government and other resources regarding drug reimbursement information and assistance
Join a GroupFind a Support Group
Support groups bring together myeloma patients, caregivers, family members & friends. Patients involved in a support group experience more positive outcomes due to their understanding of treatment options and ability to have key conversations with their health-care team.
Abstracts on racial disparities in myeloma care
IMF Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joseph Mikhael (TGen, City of Hope — Phoenix) talks about abstracts on racial disparities in myeloma care as reported from this year’s American Society of Hematology (ASH) annual conference held in Atlanta, GA.
A Day in the Life –
Thomas Goode
You’re listening to A Day in The Life podcast brought to you by the International Myeloma Foundation. We hope this podcast provides messages of hope and resilience for those in the myeloma community and beyond.
Today, we are talking to Thomas Goode, who was diagnosed with myeloma in 2005, at the young age of 34. Thomas shares his in-depth story of diagnosis, treatments, and multiple relapses in the audio podcast, Myeloma Voices, also brought to you by the International Myeloma Foundation.
A Day in the Life –
Robert Pugh
The “A Day in the Life” podcast from the International Myeloma Foundation features messages of hope and resilience for myeloma patients, caregivers, and their loved ones. Today we’re talking to Robert Pugh. Robert is a resident of Charlotte, North Carolina. He is a retired businessman, pastor, and a father of four grown children. He is also a myeloma patient who helps other patients self-advocate for their care. We invited him on today to learn how he remains positive when facing challenges.
In the News
Robert Pugh was featured in the news recently raising awareness about multiple myeloma and disparities in healthcare specially in the African-American community.
Disparities in Treatment
My experiences over the years as a support group leader have been that most leaders are experiencing similar challenges, looking for ways to diversify group participation and ensure that we all live well with myeloma. Much like the health-care system, we have to better understand barriers to participation.
Patient advocate Yelak Biru shares his story
Diagnosed at the young age of 25 with stage III multiple myeloma, Yelak Biru is a patient turned myeloma research advocate. Working with a team of medical practitioners and educating himself through support group leadership, information resources, advocacy sites, social media, and the IMF, Yelak has successfully integrated myeloma to his life for over two decades.